Kicking Off Our 9-State Overlanding Adventure: Shipwrecks, Forts & One Frustrating Walmart Night

The journey began like all great road trips do — with coffee in hand, the excitement of the unknown, and a long stretch of road ahead.

We were officially kicking off our 9-state overlanding adventure, and the first stop? A legendary piece of history: the haunting wreck of the Peter Iredale.

The Ghostly Beauty of the Peter Iredale Shipwreck

After a 7-hour drive, we arrived at the Oregon Coast where the rusted remains of the Peter Iredale rise eerily from the beach. There’s something almost magical about standing next to this century-old wreck, especially in the early morning light. This time, the scene looked even more surreal — the sand had dropped about 4 feet since our last visit, revealing more of the ship’s haunting skeleton.

It felt like nature had reshaped the story, just for us.

Exploring Fort Stevens: Bunkers, History & Echoes of the Past

Next, we headed over to Fort Stevens, a decommissioned military fort with a maze of underground bunkers and history-soaked tunnels. Cayden loved exploring the dark corners, and the energy of the place was electric — like stepping back in time.

But right as we were soaking it all in, technology struck back.

The Great Starlink Fail

Our trusty Starlink setup, the backbone of our remote uploads and communication, suddenly died. Total power failure. With miles of wilderness ahead and no signal, we made a quick pivot — off to Walmart we went.

There, a helpful employee recommended a power card solution and assured us it could be returned if it didn’t work. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. And Walmart refused the refund.

$60 gone. Frustration high. Sun setting.

A Not-So-Scenic Sleep: Walmart Parking Lot Vibes

With limited options, we drove another 3 hours, searching for a spot to crash. Exhausted and still a little salty, we ended up sleeping in — where else? — a Walmart parking lot.

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t planned. But that’s overlanding — full of the unexpected, both magical and maddening.

Real Life, Real Roads

This trip isn’t about luxury. It’s about adventure, resilience, and the raw beauty of the journey. We’re not chasing hotel beds or perfect sunsets — we’re chasing real moments. And this was just day one.

From mystical shipwrecks to military bunkers and a night under the flickering lights of Walmart, we’re just getting started.

Stay tuned — 9 states, countless stories, and some wild surprises are still to come.